Saturday, July 28, 2007
Look, Mom!!! Look at what I did!!!!
So my mom calls the other day. In the middle of her gossiping about various family friends, she throws in....
"You haven't updated your blog in a while...."
what?!?
A couple of issues at hand here:
1) I was NOT aware that my mom was knowledgable about blogging.
2) I did not know that she was checking out this blog.
Well, mom, today's post is for you.....
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A couple of big things have occurred since my last blog.
-- Anniversary: Mandy and I had our one year anniversary!!! We celebrated with a pleasant dinner along the Detroit riverfront. It's hard to believe that we've already been married for a year. It's been a very good year. No big bumps in the road. It's a beautiful feeling to know that I can have such a deep love for someone who gives that love in return, without fail, without question. And as we live each day, it gets to be more and more beautiful.
-- "The Match" -- I made it!!! I will be in a pediatric cardiology fellowship next year.....right here in Detroit!!!! It was a difficult process, but it turned out to have a great result. I really like the program here and we don't have to worry about moving.
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The whole fellowship process gave me an opportunity to think back quite a bit.
Imagine the moment when you have just finished college. What if someone said to you at that moment "Would you like to have your dream job? The job you are best suited for, one where you can have success. Would you like to have that?"
I'm sure that most people would say yes.
What about a follow up question like "You can have that dream job. In order to get there, you need to work very hard for the next 11 years. During that time you will have to be up numerous nights where you do not sleep. You will struggle with critical decisions at a moment's notice. And for four years, instead of making money, you'll be digging yourself into debt. Will you endure that for your dream job?"
You might start second-guessing the decision at that point.
But that is precisely the process I have undertaken. I did not know that at the time when I decided to enter this field. And it has not been easy. Especially when I see friends in other fields get into the heart of their profession, doing their dream job 7-8 years before I get to mine.
Looking back, I would have made the same decision. And that makes me happy.
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"You haven't updated your blog in a while...."
what?!?
A couple of issues at hand here:
1) I was NOT aware that my mom was knowledgable about blogging.
2) I did not know that she was checking out this blog.
Well, mom, today's post is for you.....
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A couple of big things have occurred since my last blog.
-- Anniversary: Mandy and I had our one year anniversary!!! We celebrated with a pleasant dinner along the Detroit riverfront. It's hard to believe that we've already been married for a year. It's been a very good year. No big bumps in the road. It's a beautiful feeling to know that I can have such a deep love for someone who gives that love in return, without fail, without question. And as we live each day, it gets to be more and more beautiful.
-- "The Match" -- I made it!!! I will be in a pediatric cardiology fellowship next year.....right here in Detroit!!!! It was a difficult process, but it turned out to have a great result. I really like the program here and we don't have to worry about moving.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The whole fellowship process gave me an opportunity to think back quite a bit.
Imagine the moment when you have just finished college. What if someone said to you at that moment "Would you like to have your dream job? The job you are best suited for, one where you can have success. Would you like to have that?"
I'm sure that most people would say yes.
What about a follow up question like "You can have that dream job. In order to get there, you need to work very hard for the next 11 years. During that time you will have to be up numerous nights where you do not sleep. You will struggle with critical decisions at a moment's notice. And for four years, instead of making money, you'll be digging yourself into debt. Will you endure that for your dream job?"
You might start second-guessing the decision at that point.
But that is precisely the process I have undertaken. I did not know that at the time when I decided to enter this field. And it has not been easy. Especially when I see friends in other fields get into the heart of their profession, doing their dream job 7-8 years before I get to mine.
Looking back, I would have made the same decision. And that makes me happy.
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Oh, YEAHHHHHHHHH!!!
What a weekend!
Wings win!
Pistons win!
Tigers win!
if only those Lions could join in on the action.....
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Wings win!
Pistons win!
Tigers win!
if only those Lions could join in on the action.....
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
The battle of wills has begun....
I finally finished with my interviews for pediatric cardiology fellowship.
12 total. 6 interviews declined.
From east to west: Boston, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Ann Arbor, Cincinnati, Chicago, St. Louis, Houston, San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Airline miles accumulated: ~19,000.
Total # of days used for travel & interviews: 29
Clues as to how it will all turn out: None
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I have until May 23rd to turn in my rank list. I find out the results of "the Match" on June 13th.
How some of the issues look so far (in my opinion):
Top ranked programs: Philadelphia, Houston
Top weather conditions: San Diego
Best cities: Chicago, Boston, San Francisco
Cost of living: Detroit, Cincinnati, St. Louis
Closest to home: Ann Arbor, Detroit
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There are so many things under consideration at this point. Where will I get the best training? Which program will set me up to have the most fruitful career? Where will Mandy have the best prospects of getting a job? Where will we be the happiest?
There is a lot of weight in this whole process. It determines where I will be for the next 3-4 years. It also is a stepping stone for the rest of my career. It feels like one of those "Choose Your Own Adventure" books. Except you can't turn back and change the decision that led you to page 37 where you were eaten by a dragon.
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12 total. 6 interviews declined.
From east to west: Boston, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Ann Arbor, Cincinnati, Chicago, St. Louis, Houston, San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Airline miles accumulated: ~19,000.
Total # of days used for travel & interviews: 29
Clues as to how it will all turn out: None
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have until May 23rd to turn in my rank list. I find out the results of "the Match" on June 13th.
How some of the issues look so far (in my opinion):
Top ranked programs: Philadelphia, Houston
Top weather conditions: San Diego
Best cities: Chicago, Boston, San Francisco
Cost of living: Detroit, Cincinnati, St. Louis
Closest to home: Ann Arbor, Detroit
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are so many things under consideration at this point. Where will I get the best training? Which program will set me up to have the most fruitful career? Where will Mandy have the best prospects of getting a job? Where will we be the happiest?
There is a lot of weight in this whole process. It determines where I will be for the next 3-4 years. It also is a stepping stone for the rest of my career. It feels like one of those "Choose Your Own Adventure" books. Except you can't turn back and change the decision that led you to page 37 where you were eaten by a dragon.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Update
I've been on the road for the past two and a half weeks for interviews. I completed five during that time: St. Louis (Washington University), San Diego (UCSD), Chicago (Northwestern), Philadelphia (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia), and Boston (Boston Children's Hospital).
First of all, I am not much of a travel person. I don't like living out of a suitcase, eating at restaurants everyday, looking up at maps every few blocks to find that "You Are Here" dot.
I did get the chance to see a few friends. Hung out with Galvez and Chris in San Diego for a few days to soak up the sun. Apparently, it does rain in southern California. And, I got to hang out with my sister-in-law in Chicago and partake in a charity flip cup tournament.
As for the interviews, they are going well. Fellowship interviews are easy yet grueling. All of them are day-long interviews. I meet with about 8-10 faculty members during that time for half-hour sessions. They usually spend the time selling their program to me. If they ask me a question, they're usually on the order of "Tell me about yourself" or "What are you looking for in a program?". By the time I'm done answering 1 or 2 questions, the half-hour is up and I move on to the next interviewer.
The most telling time during the interview process is lunch. That's usually when I meet the current fellows of the program. They have been generally honest (so far as I can tell) about their program, their likes and dislikes. I get to see how well they get along with each other. And it's free lunch, so most of them show up.
That's six interviews done. 8 more scheduled. Out of the ones that I have seen so far, the Philadelphia program is in the lead with Boston a close second. My next ones are in Cleveland (2), Cincinnati, Ann Arbor, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Houston.
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First of all, I am not much of a travel person. I don't like living out of a suitcase, eating at restaurants everyday, looking up at maps every few blocks to find that "You Are Here" dot.
I did get the chance to see a few friends. Hung out with Galvez and Chris in San Diego for a few days to soak up the sun. Apparently, it does rain in southern California. And, I got to hang out with my sister-in-law in Chicago and partake in a charity flip cup tournament.
As for the interviews, they are going well. Fellowship interviews are easy yet grueling. All of them are day-long interviews. I meet with about 8-10 faculty members during that time for half-hour sessions. They usually spend the time selling their program to me. If they ask me a question, they're usually on the order of "Tell me about yourself" or "What are you looking for in a program?". By the time I'm done answering 1 or 2 questions, the half-hour is up and I move on to the next interviewer.
The most telling time during the interview process is lunch. That's usually when I meet the current fellows of the program. They have been generally honest (so far as I can tell) about their program, their likes and dislikes. I get to see how well they get along with each other. And it's free lunch, so most of them show up.
That's six interviews done. 8 more scheduled. Out of the ones that I have seen so far, the Philadelphia program is in the lead with Boston a close second. My next ones are in Cleveland (2), Cincinnati, Ann Arbor, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Houston.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
HURRY!!! SWEEP!
I went curling for the first time yesterday.
I've watched it several times on TV. I must say that I was not impressed with it while sitting on my couch.
In reality, it is quite challenging as a sport.
The purpose is to get as many rocks closer to the button than your opponents as possible. Each team is made up of 4 people and each person gets to throw two rocks with each team alternating throws. Your throws are directed toward a bulls-eye (called the house) which is about 3 feet in diameter.
Did I mention that it's played on ice? And that the rocks weigh 42 lbs.? And that you haave to throw the rock down a sheet 146 feet long?
There are many nuances to curling as with any other sport- technique, strategy, communication. It really was a joy to finally learn about the sport. If I had more time, I would probably put some effort into picking it up as a hobby.
Two obstacles:
1) Not many people play it. It would be a big effort just to get the necessary 8 people to play one match.
2) There's only one place that I know of where I would be able to play. And it isn't nearby.
A couple of positives:
1) no equipment is needed- if you're playing at a curling club, they generally have the rocks and brooms that you would need.
2) the people who curl are generally very friendly and very helpful.
It was a lot of fun. I highly recommend you try it if you haven't already.
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I've watched it several times on TV. I must say that I was not impressed with it while sitting on my couch.
In reality, it is quite challenging as a sport.
The purpose is to get as many rocks closer to the button than your opponents as possible. Each team is made up of 4 people and each person gets to throw two rocks with each team alternating throws. Your throws are directed toward a bulls-eye (called the house) which is about 3 feet in diameter.
Did I mention that it's played on ice? And that the rocks weigh 42 lbs.? And that you haave to throw the rock down a sheet 146 feet long?
There are many nuances to curling as with any other sport- technique, strategy, communication. It really was a joy to finally learn about the sport. If I had more time, I would probably put some effort into picking it up as a hobby.
Two obstacles:
1) Not many people play it. It would be a big effort just to get the necessary 8 people to play one match.
2) There's only one place that I know of where I would be able to play. And it isn't nearby.
A couple of positives:
1) no equipment is needed- if you're playing at a curling club, they generally have the rocks and brooms that you would need.
2) the people who curl are generally very friendly and very helpful.
It was a lot of fun. I highly recommend you try it if you haven't already.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
On tour
I am finally getting the interview season underway for pediatric cardiology fellowship. It's a pretty extensive set of dates so far. The cities include:
Boston, MA
Philadelphia, PA
Pittsburgh, PA
Cleveland, OH x 2
Cincinnati, OH
Detroit, MI
Ann Arbor, MI
Chicago, IL x 2
St. Louis, MO
Denver, CO
San Diego, CA
Seattle, WA
14 dates in all. Most trips are going to be "one and done"- get there the evening before the interview, get through interview and take off the evening of the interview. Thankfully, most of the hotel rooms are paid for by the programs. And in a few cases, I'll be staying with friends (BIG THANKS to Galvez, Becca and Patricia). Looking at it right now, it's too many interviews. Especially considering that through it all, I'll still be working.
In fact, I'll be using my final two weeks of vacation to do 5 of the interviews. It especially sucks because the other two weeks of vacation that I had this year were for my surgery and recovery. So, I really had no vacation this year.
Wish me luck.
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Boston, MA
Philadelphia, PA
Pittsburgh, PA
Cleveland, OH x 2
Cincinnati, OH
Detroit, MI
Ann Arbor, MI
Chicago, IL x 2
St. Louis, MO
Denver, CO
San Diego, CA
Seattle, WA
14 dates in all. Most trips are going to be "one and done"- get there the evening before the interview, get through interview and take off the evening of the interview. Thankfully, most of the hotel rooms are paid for by the programs. And in a few cases, I'll be staying with friends (BIG THANKS to Galvez, Becca and Patricia). Looking at it right now, it's too many interviews. Especially considering that through it all, I'll still be working.
In fact, I'll be using my final two weeks of vacation to do 5 of the interviews. It especially sucks because the other two weeks of vacation that I had this year were for my surgery and recovery. So, I really had no vacation this year.
Wish me luck.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Merry Christmas.....to ME!!!!!
Finally bought our new TV. I'm so excited. I actually have never bought a TV before.
You read correctly, NEVER.
The only TV I owned was a hand-me-down from my parents when I moved into the dorms and they had gotten a new TV for themselves. When that one stopped working at the age of about 15 years old, I lived without a TV for about a year. Then, it's all been all about sharing from my roommates. First, someone who I rented a room out to, and now my permanent roommate, a.k.a. the wife.
I spent the last 5-6 months making sure about the specifications that I wanted (see blog from 9/18/2006) and researching the various models that fit the specifications. Then came the haggling. But not with the salesperson. The salesman was trusty OG and he made it easy to buy the TV 'cuz he just charged us the wholesale price. No, the haggling was with Mandy. Apparently, anything over 40 inches is too big for our house. And having enough resolution to count dots on a ladybug's back is too detailed. And a sound system powerful enough to knock our cats backwards would be too loud. But that's OK because we finally bought the thing.
In actuality, Mandy was very reasonable. And when I look back on it, I was probably just stuck in the whole "bigger, better, louder is better" thing despite cost.
But I can't wait. It gets delivered on Thursday. And we bought a new TV stand, but that doesn't get delivered until even later. I think I might get the shakes just from the excitement. Maybe I'll prescribe myself something to calm myself down in the meantime.....
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You read correctly, NEVER.
The only TV I owned was a hand-me-down from my parents when I moved into the dorms and they had gotten a new TV for themselves. When that one stopped working at the age of about 15 years old, I lived without a TV for about a year. Then, it's all been all about sharing from my roommates. First, someone who I rented a room out to, and now my permanent roommate, a.k.a. the wife.
I spent the last 5-6 months making sure about the specifications that I wanted (see blog from 9/18/2006) and researching the various models that fit the specifications. Then came the haggling. But not with the salesperson. The salesman was trusty OG and he made it easy to buy the TV 'cuz he just charged us the wholesale price. No, the haggling was with Mandy. Apparently, anything over 40 inches is too big for our house. And having enough resolution to count dots on a ladybug's back is too detailed. And a sound system powerful enough to knock our cats backwards would be too loud. But that's OK because we finally bought the thing.
In actuality, Mandy was very reasonable. And when I look back on it, I was probably just stuck in the whole "bigger, better, louder is better" thing despite cost.
But I can't wait. It gets delivered on Thursday. And we bought a new TV stand, but that doesn't get delivered until even later. I think I might get the shakes just from the excitement. Maybe I'll prescribe myself something to calm myself down in the meantime.....
Labels: TV
